New Tulsa Race Massacre victim identified in Oaklawn Cemetery mass grave research efforts

On Wednesday, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols, forensic experts, and archaeologists made an announcement about the ongoing mass graves investigations at Oaklawn Cemetery.

The city and the research team have been working to identify the remains found in unmarked graves and determine if they're related to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Mayor Nichols announced the release of the 2024 study, which found six individuals with gunshot wounds on the west side of the cemetery.

He said that more work must be done at Oaklawn and that he intends to have crews return to continue searching pending budget approval.

Last July, researchers from Intermountain Forensics announced that the first victim of the massacre was positively identified. C. L. Daniel was a veteran who served during WWI and was born in Georgia. Evidence shows that he was killed in Tulsa during the massacre and buried at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Related Story: Researchers Positively Identify Victim Of 1921 Tulsa Race

On Wednesday, Mayor Nichols announced that when C. L. Daniel, another individual, was found in what was known as Burial 180. On Wednesday, that individual was identified as George Alvin Gillespie, and the forensic team is working to determine if Gillespie was killed during the Race Massacre.

What We Know About George Melvin Gillespie

1. Identity: Believed to be George Melvin Gillespie (b. 1881), identified through genetic genealogy as Burial 180 at Oaklawn Cemetery.
2. Last Known Records: Last documented alive in Payne County, Oklahoma, in December 1920. His wife later stated in 1924 that he was deceased.
3. Burial Details: Buried in a simple wooden casket; no trauma was observed, and cause of death remains unknown.
4. Family: One of 13 siblings; loved by family and his wife, who often wrote to him.
5. Ongoing Investigation: How George came to be buried at Oaklawn remains unclear. The City of Tulsa is working with his family and authorities on next steps, including potential reburial or memorialization.

George Gillespie pictured below:

Another Tulsa Race Massacre victim has been identified through the forensic team's research. James Goings, a veteran in the US Army, reportedly died during the massacre, though his grave has not been located. Mayor Nichols said it's unclear if he is buried at Oaklawn.

What We Know About James Goings

1. Confirmed Victim: James Goings is the second newly confirmed Tulsa Race Massacre victim identified since the City's renewed investigation.
2. Discovery: His name was not listed on original death records or early news reports. He was identified through a family booklet and later confirmed by Veterans Administration records.
3. Date of Death: Believed to have died on June 1, 1921, during the massacre.
4. Burial Status: No DNA link has yet been made to a specific burial at Oaklawn Cemetery.
5. Help Needed: Descendants of the Goings, Goins, or Gowens surnames, especially from Southern states, are encouraged to visit tulsa1921dna.org and contact the genealogy team.

James Goings records claims obtained from Veterans Administration

For more details on the descendants and genealogy project, click here.